Illinois Department of CorrectionsNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Illinois Department of CorrectionsSun, 04 Jun 2017 00:29:58 +0000Illinois Department of Correctionshttp://peoriapublicradio.org
Associated PressGov. Bruce Rauner has vetoed legislation prohibiting the Illinois Department of Corrections from hiring private healthcare workers. Rauner vetoed the measure Friday. He says it's unnecessary because his administration signed an agreement May 22 with the Illinois Nurses Association about subcontracting for nurses.Rauner Vetoes Prohibition on Private Prison Health Workershttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/rauner-vetoes-prohibition-private-prison-health-workers
75916 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgFri, 02 Jun 2017 22:05:39 +0000Rauner Vetoes Prohibition on Private Prison Health WorkersAssociated PressIllinois Senate Democrats say Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration inappropriately spent money to move records from a closed prison to new warehouse space. Sen. Andy Manar is a Bunker Hill Democrat. He questioned Corrections Department Director John Baldwin during an appropriations committee hearing Wednesday. Manar says Department of Human Services records had been stored in at least one building on the campus of the former Dwight Correctional Center in Livingston County. But he says those records were moved to a Springfield warehouse the state recently leased for $2.4 million amid a two-year budget stalemate. Baldwin said he was unaware of the switch. Manar says he was told the Dwight building needed extensive roof repairs. But there is other vacant state space. Neither Baldwin's nor Rauner's spokeswomen had further comment.Democrats Question Rauner Administration Over Storage of State Documentshttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/democrats-question-rauner-administration-over-storage-state-documents
74409 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgWed, 03 May 2017 22:12:05 +0000Democrats Question Rauner Administration Over Storage of State DocumentsAPCHICAGO - A federal judge has ruled a lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Corrections alleging inadequate health care in prisons may cover all inmates with serious medical needs in every state facility. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Jorge Alonso means thousands of inmates could be affected by the class-action lawsuit. Camille Bennett is a staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, which represents the inmates who sued. She says Illinois' system for providing health care in prison is "broken" and the ruling means "the solutions must be systemic." A 2015 report by court-approved researchers following visits to Illinois prisons found treatment delays, haphazard follow-up care and other serious problems. IDOC argued the report provided an incomplete picture of the comprehensive medical system in place.Judge OKs Class-Action Over Illinois Prison Health Carehttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/judge-oks-class-action-over-illinois-prison-health-care
74265 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgMon, 01 May 2017 15:52:05 +0000Judge OKs Class-Action Over Illinois Prison Health CareAssociated PressState officials say a maximum security prison in southern Illinois remains on lockdown after a weekend assault that left staffers and inmates injured. The staff assault happened Sunday at Menard Correctional Center.Illinois Prison on Lockdown After Assault That Injured Staffhttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/illinois-prison-lockdown-after-assault-injured-staff
74013 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgTue, 25 Apr 2017 21:27:46 +0000Illinois Prison on Lockdown After Assault That Injured StaffBrian MackeyState legislators in Springfield are moving to address gun violence in Chicago. The Illinois Senate today passed stricter gun laws long sought by the Chicago Police. The legislation is meant to get judges to impose longer sentences on repeat gun offenders.Stricter Gun Laws Combat Gun Violence in Chicagohttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/stricter-gun-laws-combat-gun-violence-chicago
73184 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgFri, 07 Apr 2017 00:24:28 +0000Stricter Gun Laws Combat Gun Violence in ChicagoDurrie BouscarenA central Illinois center for addiction treatment will stay open for now, despite payment delays during the state’s ongoing budget crisis. After two years without a permanent budget, the state is facing a backlog of $12.6 billion in unpaid bills to state employees, contractors and agencies. The Wells Center, based in Jacksonville, about 90 miles north of St. Louis, provides counseling for men, women and teenagers. It operated a six-bed detoxification center, but administrators closed the unit in October of 2015, a few months after the state stopped sending checks. The provider also laid off staff and canceled contracts with the Illinois Department of Corrections. “They were all general revenue funded and we didn’t know when we would get paid for it,” said the center’s executive director, Bruce Carter. “By giving those up it really helped us out in the short run, but in the long run it really hurt our reserves.” Faced with the risk of not making payroll, Wells Center leaders decided toIllinois budget crisis pushes Jacksonville addiction center to brink of closure http://peoriapublicradio.org/post/illinois-budget-crisis-pushes-jacksonville-addiction-center-brink-closure
72563 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgFri, 24 Mar 2017 22:08:12 +0000Illinois budget crisis pushes Jacksonville addiction center to brink of closure Associated PressIllinois Gov. Bruce Rauner wants to replace guards in prison watchtowers with security cameras. It's an effort to cut down on overtime costs for the cash-strapped state. Department of Corrections spokeswoman Nicole Wilson says officials expect to save $4 million annually. She says no security officers will be laid off. Rauner spokeswoman Eleni Demertzis says savings will come from reduced overtime and "more efficient management." An official with the union that represents corrections workers says officials have discussed new technology. He says the union remains concerned about safety for staff, inmates and the public. Cameras would be installed at 23 state minimum- and medium-security prisons. Michigan and Pennsylvania stopped full-time tower staffing with beefed up electronic security in the past decade. Wisconsin recently reduced overnight tower staffing.Rauner Proposes Replacing Prison Guards With Security Camerashttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/rauner-proposes-replacing-prison-guards-security-cameras
72450 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgWed, 22 Mar 2017 21:07:14 +0000Rauner Proposes Replacing Prison Guards With Security CamerasAssociated PressThe Illinois Department of Corrections says a man accused in a 2012 Chicago expressway killing was released on parole in an unrelated case because the department wasn't informed he should be held. The Department of Corrections released Garrett Glover on Friday after he was sentenced Thursday to four years in prison for an attempted armed robbery in 2014. Glover had been in custody since 2014.State Wasn't Told Slaying Suspect Should be Heldhttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/state-wasnt-told-slaying-suspect-should-be-held
71624 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgTue, 28 Feb 2017 23:16:11 +0000State Wasn't Told Slaying Suspect Should be HeldAssociated PressFormer suburban Chicago police officer Drew Peterson has been transferred out of the Illinois prison system and is now in a federal prison in Indiana. Illinois Department of Corrections spokeswoman Nicole Wilson said Peterson had been transferred but declined to say why or where, citing security. The federal Bureau of Prisons says Peterson is in the federal penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana.Drew Peterson Transferred Out of Illinois Prison Systemhttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/drew-peterson-transferred-out-illinois-prison-system
71293 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgTue, 21 Feb 2017 22:04:56 +0000Drew Peterson Transferred Out of Illinois Prison SystemPatrick SmithIllinois Governor Bruce Rauner signed a law today to make it easier for people leaving prison get state IDs. Bernita Riley says when she got out of prison she didn’t have an ID, so she couldn’t get housing or a job...New Law Makes It Easier For Fomer Prisoners to Get IDshttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/new-law-makes-it-easier-fomer-prisoners-get-ids
68434 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgThu, 15 Dec 2016 22:10:47 +0000New Law Makes It Easier For Fomer Prisoners to Get IDsAssociated PressIllinois prison officials have moved the last 36 inmates of a Stateville Correctional Center roundhouse that a Chicago watchdog group deemed unfit for humans to live in. Illinois Department of Corrections officials say the maximum-security F House at Stateville in Crest Hill, which housed 348 male inmates, is closed.Corrections Department Shuts Down Prison in Crest Hillhttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/corrections-department-shuts-down-prison-crest-hill
67854 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgThu, 01 Dec 2016 22:00:29 +0000Corrections Department Shuts Down Prison in Crest HillAssociated PressThe Illinois Department of Corrections' director says staff at the major women's prison needs training on how to work with female inmates. John Baldwin responded to a federally funded study of Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln that found women there are treated more harshly than men and end up spending more time behind bars than necessary.Training Needed for Working With Women Inmateshttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/training-needed-working-women-inmates
67348 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgFri, 18 Nov 2016 22:38:03 +0000Training Needed for Working With Women InmatesAssociated PressThe Illinois Department of Corrections has agreed to pay $450,000 to a man who says prison officials punished and humiliated him after he reported his cellmate raped him.Illinois Agrees to $450,000 Settlement in Prison Rape Suithttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/illinois-agrees-450000-settlement-prison-rape-suit
64060 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgFri, 02 Sep 2016 22:32:26 +0000Illinois Agrees to $450,000 Settlement in Prison Rape SuitAssociated PressIllinois prison data shows that the state's population of inmates has dropped by more than 4,200 since fiscal year 2014. Illinois Department of Corrections numbers show that the total prison population in the state was 44,680 as of July 1. That's down from 47,165 in June 2015 and 48,921 in June 2014.Illinois Prison Population Decreased Since 2014http://peoriapublicradio.org/post/illinois-prison-population-decreased-2014
63889 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgTue, 30 Aug 2016 21:07:40 +0000Illinois Prison Population Decreased Since 2014Associated PressAn Illinois prison spokeswoman says an assault on six workers by five inmates at the maximum-security Pontiac Correctional Center appears to have resulted from a failure to follow workplace safety procedures. Illinois Department of Corrections spokeswoman Nicole Wilson says that the agency's investigation of the incident will include looking into why procedures weren't followed and how future incidents can be prevented.Illinois prison spokeswoman says rules ignoredhttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/illinois-prison-spokeswoman-says-rules-ignored
63503 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgMon, 22 Aug 2016 21:32:10 +0000Illinois prison spokeswoman says rules ignoredAssociated PressIllinois Gov . Bruce Rauner has signed a package of legislation involving criminal justice, saying the system needs to be approached "with more compassion." Among the measures Rauner signed into law are items that change the minimum probation period for young offenders and address phone call costs for inmates.Gov. Rauner signs package of criminal justice legislationhttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/gov-rauner-signs-package-criminal-justice-legislation-0
63494 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgMon, 22 Aug 2016 19:37:56 +0000Gov. Rauner signs package of criminal justice legislationPatrick SmithThe union that represents corrections officers is calling for increased security measures following an assault in an Illinois state prison. An Illinois Department of Corrections spokeswoman says last night, inmates injured six guards at Pontiac maximum security prison. Eddie Caumiant is the liason between prison workers and the state employee union. He says the assault - by five inmates - was the culmination of a troubling trend of violence at the downstate facility. "There’s been almost daily assaults with things thrown at officers, there was an officer who was stabbed a couple of times and then we have yesterday’s bench clearer with several staff injured in one incident," Caumiant said. Caumiant says inmates should stay confined to their cells until the department figures out the root causes of the violence - and completes a sweep for weapons. He says the injured officers are all recovering.Assault at Pontiac Prison Highlights Recurring Trendhttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/assault-pontiac-prison-highlights-recurring-trend
63492 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgMon, 22 Aug 2016 18:16:24 +0000Assault at Pontiac Prison Highlights Recurring TrendAssociated PressCHICAGO (AP) - Illinois Gov . Bruce Rauner has signed a package of legislation involving criminal justice, saying the system needs to be approached "with more compassion." The Republican governor signed the five bills Monday morning at an Illinois Department of Corrections adult transition center on Chicago's West Side. Rauner's office says the measures are aimed at reducing recidivism and helping low-level offenders. Rauner says the state needs to be "balancing punishment with rehabilitation and not needlessly tearing families and lives apart." Illinois Department of Corrections Director John Baldwin says the legislation "will help ensure that we are giving young men and women a second chance at life." Among the measures Rauner signed into law Monday are items that change the minimum probation period for young offenders and address phone call costs for inmates.Gov. Rauner signs package of criminal justice legislationhttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/gov-rauner-signs-package-criminal-justice-legislation
63489 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgMon, 22 Aug 2016 17:52:38 +0000Gov. Rauner signs package of criminal justice legislationAssociated PressAn Illinois Department of Corrections spokeswoman says six officers have been injured by inmates at the maximum-security prison in Pontiac. IDOC spokeswoman Nicole Wilson said in a brief statement that the correctional officers were treated for injuries that are not life-threatening after the incident Sunday at the Pontiac Correctional Center.Several IDOC Officers Injured in Pontiac Assaulthttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/several-idoc-officers-injured-pontiac-assault
63479 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgMon, 22 Aug 2016 11:46:40 +0000Several IDOC Officers Injured in Pontiac AssaultAmanda VinickyIllinois' General Assembly has two new members. And both are in their twenties. Omar Aquino won a Democratic primary, but didn't have to wait to win the general election to become a state senator. He was sworn in earlier this month to replace Senator William Delgado, who retired. Aquino is a 29-year-old Latino from Chicago.General Assembly gets two new members this weekhttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/general-assembly-gets-two-new-members-week
61644 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgThu, 14 Jul 2016 23:11:09 +0000General Assembly gets two new members this week